Tag: DE Chase Young

Commanders releasing Davis reminds of Ron Rivera’s poor leadership

Wonder what Ron Rivera thought of Tuesday’s news?

Wonder what Ron Rivera’s reaction was to Tuesday afternoon’s breaking Commanders news?

The Commanders (5-2) had just released four-year veteran linebacker/defensive end Jamin Davis.  In April 2021, Rivera, the Washington GM/head coach, surprised all who closely followed the team when he reached on the Kentucky linebacker.

Rivera then doubled down, declaring Davis the highest-rated available player on Washington’s draft board. We shook our heads at that statement, but we all certainly hoped Rivera was right and that Davis would play up to his being selected 19th overall.

Davis’s release by Adam Peters and Dan Quinn on Tuesday speaks volumes. Just last week, rookie DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste was injured and placed on injured reserve, meaning he will miss at least four weeks.

The Commanders released Davis anyway. To do so at this time indicates that the Commanders’ defensive staff simply didn’t even believe they had a need for Davis, though they are without Jean-Baptiste.

Last week, they signed DT Sheldon Day to the active roster from the practice squad, responding to DT Jonathan Allen’s loss for the season with a torn pectoral muscle.

In addition, the Commanders signed DE Jalyn Holmes last week, who had just been released by the Jets after appearing in their first six games this season. Though no longer needed by the Jets, the Commanders have chosen to go with Holmes over Davis. Also, DE Efe Obada has returned from injured reserve and is on the active roster.

If another NFL team does not claim Davis, then he could conceivably return to the Commanders’ practice squad.

Davis’s release can’t help but remind us of how woeful Ron Rivera’s drafting was during his four seasons in Washington. His four first-round choices (Chase Young (2020), Davis (2021), Jahan Dotson (2022), and Emmanuel Forbes 2023) have all massively underperformed, and only Forbes remains with the team—and he doesn’t even start for the Commanders.

Postgame quotes after Commanders perplexing loss to Eagles

Some postgame quotes from several Washington players after Sunday’s loss to the Eagles.

This Commanders’ loss to the Eagles was perplexing as the offense produced, but the defense could not get to a visibly hobbled Jalen Hurts.

What was the reaction in the locker room and the postgame shows?

“When you look at a game: Your kicker kicks a 61-yard field goal. You score 31 points. And you lose? That is one you don’t understand.” Brian Mitchell

“Ultimately, when you look at the game, it is not a matter of we didn’t run or pass enough. No, we didn’t make the plays.” Brian Mitchell

“They moved some pieces along the offensive line. I thought Tyler Larsen did an excellent job calling protections- no free runners to the quarterback. I thought Sam also helped that group, getting the ball out of his hand quickly…and I think EB called a fantastic football game today. So I think there are positive things.” Logan Paulsen

“They told me New York decided it was an incompletion.” Ron Rivera on the Jahan Dotson 4th down incompletion

“Because I didn’t see it on the screen. I was looking up at the screen to see if there was something that could help me and then I was waiting to hear something from somebody upstairs (did you see it or not?). We haven’t seen the replay yet. So we weren’t sure. They did their hurry up, ran to the line and snapped the ball…I still don’t know if it was or wasn’t complete.” Ron Rivera on not challenging the Eagles 4th down completion for a first down that was actually incomplete.

“I’m not going to answer any questions on personnel.” Ron Rivera declining to talk trade deadline

“I mean, it’s in the air, but in the end, we have a game to play, a job to do. I intend on doing that job to the best of my ability.”  Montez Sweat on current trade talks

“Anything can happen, but I can only control what I can.” Montez Sweat conveyed that his agent is keeping him informed

“My job is to play football, and that is what I am going to continue to do. It’s tough. I don’t have nothing to say; it’s tough.” Chase Young on close loss

“It’s out of my control. I’m going to go back and evaluate myself, see where I made mistakes and hold myself accountable.” Chase Young on if he or Montez Sweat played their last game together.

“We’re right there. But at the end of the day we let another one slip away from us.” Sam Howell on another tough loss

“I told him (Terry McLaurin) that I have to give him a better chance. … I’ve got to make his job easier. Terry’s a great player, and I have to do my part.”  Sam Howell on those two late drops by Terry McLaurin

Has the NFL passed by Commanders DC Jack Del Rio?

How much blame should go on Del Rio? How much on the players? Regardless, they all need to be better.

I’m sure you’ve noticed many on Twitter and D.C. radio shows this week wanting Jack Del Rio fired.

In the Commanders’ last game, the Bears (0-4) put up 40 points on the Commanders.

The Commanders allowed five passing plays of 20 or more yards. On the game’s first offensive possession, Justin Fields found D.J. Moore for 58 yards.

Commanders’ corner Benjamin St-Juste confessed, “I’m [mad] about that. That’s on me. … Should’ve just did my job instead of looking for a play when it wasn’t there.”

Fans and even some radio hosts in unison claim the game has passed by Del Rio. It’s as if he only understands the defenses of his playing days (1985-95). Do they know he’s been coaching in the NFL since 1997?

Many portray Del Rio as a blockhead, numbskull, and imbecile.

How quickly critics forget that just last season (2022) the Commanders defense played the key down in the NFL not only quite well, but actually the very best, getting off of the field on third down.

Following Thursday’s game, one Bears player actually called out the Commanders defensive backfield, saying, “They either weren’t aware or they were just being lazy about making the shift, and that led to some really open plays for us.”

Commanders rookie corner Emmanuel Forbes jumped two routes, and whiffed on the tackles, giving the Bears big plays. Forbes thinks he is going to simply make big interceptions. He must show more respect for those who have earned their dues in this league.

This week, the cries have been abundant, “Fire, Jack Del Rio.”  Why do fans do this? You’re not going to like the answer, but the truth is, it is simpler. Fans love the players, so the simplistic, knee-jerk response is to fire the defensive coordinator.

Chase Young, on the Bears game, volunteered, “It’s nothing on Del Rio. He made good calls today. It’s on us as players. [We’ve] just got to start faster and hold each other accountable.”

Yet the fans get on Twitter and radio talk shows expressing that JDR doesn’t blitz enough, doesn’t know defense, and doesn’t know how to put the players in the best position to win.

Oh, stop! We all love the team. But to suggest publicly you know more than Jack Del Rio is actually embarrassing for you, revealing just how arrogant, misguided, and full of yourselves you are.

Not one single time do you have to make a decision about these defensive players where you will have to give an account. Not one time. Yet, every single defensive play call by Del Rio is dependent on his players executing it. Every single one.

Sure, the coaching staff might be fired at the conclusion of the season. But Jim Mora was also absolutely correct, we don’t know, and we never will.

Questions increasing regarding Commanders defensive line

Injuries piling up along the defensive line.

Suddenly the strong is much weaker.

The strongest unit of the Washington Commanders team has no doubt been the defensive line. Media and fans wondered Tuesday why the front office determined to keep 11 defensive linemen on the 53-man roster.

There is now no question why. Thursday, the Commanders announced Efe Obada is joining Phidarian Mathis on the injured reserve List. This means both Mathis (calf) and Obada (knee) will miss at least the first four games of the 2023 season.

Oh, there’s more. The most consistent and productive member of the defensive front four, Jonathan Allen, is battling Plantar Fasciitis.

Consequently, Abdullah Anderson was re-signed to the active roster.

At the roster announcement press conference Tuesday, Ben Standig asked Coach Rivera regarding injuries and Chase Young. Coach Ron replied,

“We’re not gonna talk about that. We’re gonna talk about where we are right now. We’re going forward with this right now; this was a good day.”

Suddenly, Chase Young being a contributor is again a question. After being the 2020 Defensive Rookie of the Year, the Commanders have gotten almost nothing from Young.  In 2021, there were issues with Young in the offseason, and he produced nothing more than frustration for the coaches in 2021. Then, came his bad injury, ending his season.

This spring, many fans insisted Rivera was so out of line to not provide Young the fifth-year option. Are you folks still going to maintain the same position?

Obada and Mathis are definitely gone for at least four games. Might Young miss the opener? Will Allen fully recover or be limited during the season? How much will Young produce this season?

Is it any wonder Rivera is already concerned?

Why Commanders vs. Ravens is so important for rookie defensive ends

Monday presents a massive opportunity for rookie defensive ends Andre Jones Jr. and K.J. Henry.

Monday’s preseason game for two defensive players could be huge.

The Commanders will host Baltimore Ravens in the preseason contest. For the Commanders, they have two rookie defensive ends for whom this game could be very large.

Though drafted in the fifth round at 137 overall, K.J. Henry, a defensive end out of Clemson, was expected to push and make the team. Unexpected was seventh-round choice (and 233 overall) defensive end Andre Jones out of Louisiana.

Jones has, honestly, looked better in camp thus far. With only three preseason games, Monday’s against the Ravens could play a large role in the future of both players.

The Commanders can only keep so many defensive ends on a 53-man roster. NFL teams must trim their rosters from 90 to 53 players before the NFL league-wide deadline of August 29 at 4 pm.

Everyone knows the Commanders plan to start Montez Sweat and Chase Young at the defensive end spots. Next, come the primary backups. At the beginning of camp, there was no doubt those two were James Smith-Williams and Casey Toohill.

How many defensive ends are the Commanders going to keep on their 53-man roster? If there are five defensive ends, this would indicate room for only one more.

Thus far, Efe Obada has been working primarily on the inside, and the Commanders have listed Obada on the depth chart at defensive tackle, but he does possess position flex; thus, he could play both tackle and end.

Is the final defensive end spot up for grabs between Henry and Jones? Both rookie ends are going to be watched closely Monday as the defensive coaches are looking for evidence regarding whom they should keep on the roster.

If the Commanders keep ten defensive linemen, the ability to play both end and tackle will be huge for guys like Smith-Williams and Obada. Those smaller and, thus, not asked to play inside at tackle, need to display both the ability to set the edge against the run and rush the passer.

Something coaches are not going to ignore is that Sweat, Young, Smith-Williams, Toohill and Obada are all entering the final season of their contracts.

If the Commanders determine to only keep four linebackers they could stash one or perhaps two linebackers on the practice squad. They could also keep an extra defensive end on the roster because they are quick enough to play well on the special teams. If they do keep an extra defensive end, could it mean they keep both Henry and Jones on the roster, utilizing both on coverage teams?

Speaking of defensive ends, this game against the Ravens could thus loom very large for the other defensive ends, underdogs looking for a roster spot, such as Joshua Pryor and Will Bradley-King.